Joint Engagement in Children With FXS (Hahn et al., 2016)
journal contribution
posted on 2022-02-23, 04:58 authored by Laura J. Hahn, Nancy C. Brady, Kandace K. Fleming, Steven F. WarrenPurpose: In this study, we examine joint engagement (JE)
in young children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and its
relationship to language abilities and autism spectrum
disorder symptomatology at 24 to 36 months (toddler period)
and 59 to 68 months (child period).
Method: Participants were 28 children with FXS (24 boys,
four girls) and their mothers. Videotaped home observations
were conducted during the toddler period and coded for JE.
Language abilities were measured at both ages from a
developmental assessment, a functional measure, and from
a language sample. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale
(Schopler, Reichler, & Renner, 1988) was completed at both
ages.
Results: Children with FXS spent more time in supported JE
than in coordinated JE. Using a weighted JE variable, we
found that children with FXS who had higher weighted JE
scores also had more advanced expressive language skills
at both the toddler and child periods. Weighted JE was
negatively related to autism symptomatology in the toddler
period.
Conclusion: This study provides evidence that children with
FXS who use more JE also have more advanced expressive
language skills in early development. Therefore, existing
early interventions that target JE behaviors may be effective
for promoting language, social communication, and social
interaction in this population.
